







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Of course, here you go, this is the bathroom. | |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| It sounds like a good deal. | |
| Because the other people complain about me smoking there. | |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | |
| Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | |
| What's your maximum monthly budget for the rent? | |
| My meeting starts at one o'clock. | |
| What does Diego do? | |
| Because you are in it. | |
| That's why you have a headache now! | |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| I usually take the train. | |
| I'm checking again, there are only two forks and a teaspoon! | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |